Thursday, July 28, 2016

This week's Dan Moser column in Florida Weekly. Click here for one-pager with all who/what/when/how to report (keep this handy).
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

It was like watching a movie with the action in slow motion. What
looked like a crash that was going to be deadly for two stopped
motorists and two bicyclists crossing the highway was happening before
my eyes, and there was nothing I could do about it. Fortunately it
turned out to be a fenderbender, albeit harrowing for all involved.

It happened on a recent weekday afternoon as I was bicycling east on
North Colonial Linear Park, approaching Trailhead Park and the trail’s
intersection with Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard.

I saw a southbound black pickup stopped in the outside lane at the
crosswalk for two bicyclists who were heading west toward me and
awaiting a safe crossing opportunity in the median.

A number of southbound vehicles continued to (illegally) pass the
pickup by going around in the inside lane until a white minivan finally
stopped, allowing the cyclists to proceed. Just as the two cyclists
realized it was safe and entered the crosswalk I noticed a fully loaded
flatbed semi-truck coming from the north at full speed, the driver
obviously unaware of the two stopped vehicles and bicyclists now well
into the crosswalk.

Lack
of adequate crosswalk enhancements, landscaping that creates visual
barriers, high-speed roadway design and an unwarranted curve in the
highway make the North Colonial Linear Park crossing difficult and
dangerous.

Just
as the semi was about to rear-end the van or pickup, it appeared the
driver decided to split the difference and positioned his truck between
the two lanes as he simultaneously hit the brakes.

Fortunately, immediately before impact, the pickup driver, seeing
that the two cyclists had barely cleared the crosswalk, accelerated. At
that moment the semi hit the right-rear side of the van and the left
rear of the pickup. All three vehicles came to a stop near the park’s
driveway entrance just downstream.

I was now at the scene and met the two bicyclists as they peeked
behind them and heard the commotion. The looks on their faces made clear
they realized just how close they’d come to death or at least serious
injury.

When all parties were gathered at the stopped vehicles I let everyone
know I’d observed the entire thing develop, well before the semi
entered the picture. Once police arrived I reiterated my statement to
them as well and that the semi driver was clearly at fault — most likely
distracted as he approached the crosswalk, one he’s driven across many
times on a regular basis, a fact I later learned.

Having no sympathy for an inattentive driver — especially a
professional driver familiar with the area — there’s something other
than driver misbehavior at play at this popular trail crossing.

North Colonial Linear Park was constructed with federal funds over 20
years ago. Because of that, the city should have given the linear park
preference when it built Veronica Shoemaker about 10 years later. That
would have been the case if the highway’s original route were used,
because it would have had to fly over a water management structure
adjacent to the trail, allowing users to proceed under the highway.

Instead, the city made a deal with property owners that provided them
better access to the highway in exchange for property that allowed for
the use of a box culvert by jogging the highway around the weir. The
curve is at the worse place it could be: right where the linear park
crosses at-grade.

Bike/ped advocates fought to force the roadway overpass based on the
federal requirement that a park built by certain funds could not be
negatively impacted by a roadway project but the city refused to
acknowledge the requirement and essentially ignored it. Later efforts to
have the crosswalk enhanced with flashing beacons and additional
roadway warning signs were also deemed unnecessary by top city staff. To
add to the problem, landscaping was placed in the median that obstructs
the view for both motorists and crosswalk users. Finally, because of
the highway being over-designed for the posted 40 mph speed limit,
drivers routinely travel 10-15 mph over that limit.

- Dan Moser is a long-time bicycle/ pedestrian advocate and traffic
safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for
transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com and 334-6417.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Back in April, BikeWalkLee penned two blog posts about how to report a bike/ped facilities or operations problem and get results. In those blogs we provided information about who to contact to report such a problem and urged you to report problems you see while you're out walking or biking. We suggested that you to track the resolution of the problem, thank the agency staff who addressed the problem and share your stories with the BWL network, including before and after photos, so that we could demonstrate that reporting problems does get action. Today's blog is the story of one success story from the Tice neighborhood. By Diane Odeh and Stephan Pierce

BikeWalkLee and the Rauschenberg Grant Walking Audit Team would like to thank James Perry, Highway Maintenance Supervisor and the rest of the Florida Department of Transportation for patching a pothole on Marsh Avenue that was very dangerous.

The pothole in Tice (photos: Stephan Pierce)

During a walking audit team meeting, members discussed the dangerous nature of this pothole. The pothole was located on a heavily traveled connector street in one of
the higher density areas in Lee County. It is close to Palm Beach
Boulevard with many retail, offices, and social services. This street
and area in general is heavily traveled by people in wheelchairs,
walkers, and bicyclists and is in very close proximity to public
transit. It connects the Goodwill Retail store and JobLink center with
Marsh Avenue.

The pothole was only a few feet away from a bus stop. The reality of how dangerous this pothole is to the community can be seen through the following picture of a resident whose mobility scooter often got stuck in it, causing him to fall off of it:

This issue wasn’t just problematic for pedestrians—it is so large that vehicle tires have the potential to become damaged in the pothole as well:

Recognizing a need to remedy the situation, team members were diligent in reporting the issue to the proper authorities. Although it is not in their jurisdiction, James Perry and his crew went above and beyond their call of duty in the spirit of providing a temporary solution to a very dangerous issue.

We will continue to update you as a more permanent solution is made. This case highlights the importance of persistence when reporting transportation issues.

So, next time you're out there and see a safety hazard, don't just complain... do something... and share your story with us (info@bikewalklee.org).

Monday, July 25, 2016

It's relatively quiet out there in the dog days of summer. Critical Mass rides are mostly in the evening when it cools down a little, and are done at leisurely speeds. Besides that it is fun, taking part helps putting cycling on the map, and may in the long run lead to better bicycling facilities. If you plan on running or riding in the heat, make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid being out during thunderstorms.Upcoming eventsRunning/walking:

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Our area offers an array of cycling facilities, from shared-use paths to roadside lanes. But which is best for cyclists?

“Best” is a relative term, of course. The best facility is the one you’ll use, the one that gets you where you want to go – which means cyclists don’t have a choice in most instances, since there’s usually just one way to get there. However, each has its pluses and minuses from a cyclist’s perspective.

■ Shared-use paths: These are separate from the regular roadway, open to use by both cyclists and pedestrians. (Think most of Sanibel, the Ten Mile Canal path or the Six Mile Cypress path.) A true shared-use path is supposed to be 10-12 feet wide, but in reality such paths can be far less spacious around here… so you work with what you have in front of you.

Pluses:

Separated from motor vehicles, which makes many riders and walkers feel safer (and thus more likely to use).

Separation also means less likelihood of inadvertent use by motor vehicles (although you can still find people parking on these paths even when it takes more work to do so).

Minuses:

Mix of users means a mix of speeds, so proficient cyclists may be frustrated and the biker/walker interactions can get dicey at times.

By design, they are set back from roadways, so at intersections you’re less likely to be seen by drivers and more likely to have vehicles blocking your path (since they pull forward to see traffic and don’t see you).

Maintenance can sometimes be an issue, since they are less used by motor vehicles which tend to get more attention from road repair folks.

Can offer a mixed bag of widths, signage, etc.

■ Bike lanes: These are part of the roadway, usually marked for bike/ped use by lines and/or symbols. (Think Treeline Avenue, many parts of Cape Coral and U.S. 41.)

Pluses:

Easier to be seen by drivers, since you’re part of the road flow (not set back in the bushes).

Better for fast cyclists, since there’s likely to be fewer slow riders and walkers using this lane.

Minuses:

Closer to fast-moving traffic, which takes some getting used to for new cyclists.

Easier for vehicles to trespass in your lane, either by accident or when drivers use the lanes to turn, detour, park or just wander.

Works best when everyone agrees on which way traffic should flow, meaning walkers facing traffic and cyclists going with traffic. When everyone is going everyway, problems ensue.

Better chance for debris (particularly the tire-slicing kind) since it’s right next to the driving lane and way too convenient for the stuff that’s falls off (or is thrown out of) motor vehicles.

Some “bike lanes” are hardly more than a wide shoulder… beats nothing, but sometimes not by much.

■ Sidewalks: Adjacent to the road, usually raised slightly, always too narrow for cyclists but sometimes the only choice you have that’s not on the road itself. (Think McGregor Blvd., College Parkway, etc.)

Pluses:

For cyclists, almost none... unless you just don’t want to ride in the road itself and are willing to proceed with caution. A positive note is that, when sidewalks and bike lanes are in place together, everyone has a place to travel… cyclists in the lanes, pedestrians on the walks and motor vehicles in the driving lane itself.

Minuses:

Where do we start… too narrow, rarely trimmed of intruding vegetation, often poorly maintained or of inconsistent quality. You’re supposed to yield to pedestrians and motorists rarely see you coming, so it’s the worst of both worlds.

A hot-weather tip
Whether riding or striding, this time of year it’s all about timing (avoid the peak heat times of day) and route (let the wind and shade work for you, or at least give you a break along the way). Best choices are early morning (before the temps seriously spike) or early evening (particularly if you can go out after the rain passes through).

Ready to ride or run?

Run? Hot weather melts the race schedule this time of year, but there’s still a few events planned: On Saturday, July 23, it’s the Eagle Lakes 5K, Eagle Lakes Community Park, Naples (eliteevents.org). On Saturday, July 30, there’s the inaugural Black Girls Run! 5K, which will start and end at the Carrie Robinson Center, 2990 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers. (3dracing.com).

Ride? Critical Mass rides rule (but you may want to confirm the times, as summertime may force changes): Friday, July 29, is the Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather at 7:30 p.m. for an 8 p.m. roll-out at 4706 SE 11th Place for a family-friendly ride (lights required, helmets recommended). On Saturday, July 30, SW Florida Critical Mass will offer a starter/sightseeing ride; gather at 9 a.m., roll at 9:15 a.m. from 2160 McGregor Blvd. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction. On Friday, Aug. 5, it’s the original SW Florida Critical Mass ride, a family-friendly slow ride through Fort Myers. Front and rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in the open field next to Publix (beginning at 7:15 p.m. for an 8 p.m. roll-out) at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (twitter.com/swflcm or http://www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/)

Both? Your next local tri is Saturday, Aug. 6, for the TRISK Tri Siesta Key Olympic and Sprint Tris and Duathlon (multirace.us). On Saturday, Sept. 3, head north for the Venice Sprint Sept. 3 (swflymca.org) – or stay put and be part of the Galloway Captiva Tri Weekend Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 10-11 (space still available, but the kid’s events are almost sold out) (captivatri.org).
- - -

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County - streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at www.BikeWalkLee.org.

Every time we turn the faucet handle and water flows we should be thankful for our public works departments.

The same goes for having the ability to walk, ride our bikes, or
drive our cars on safe facilities, even though (generally through no
fault of the public works folks) motorists clearly have more for which
to be thankful.

There’s no doubt that the women and men who maintain and operate our
public infrastructure do a lot with limited financial resources. But
because funds are so limited they can use our assistance by being their
eyes and directing them to things needing to be addressed that they may
overlook.

With summer and its frequent rain upon us we’re sure to deal with
standing water and overgrown vegetation that creates problems for
runners, walkers and cyclists.

In some cases, once the party responsible for addressing the concern is notified it’s quickly resolved.

A drainage plate and crumbling asphalt at the intersection of Linhart
Avenue and Magnolia Street in Fort Myers is an example of public works
problems that should be reported.
DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY

That might mean simply
taking care of potential problems near your own property or asking a
neighbor to trim his bushes or branches back from the sidewalk or
pathway or to clean out his drainage ditch (or doing it for him if he is
elderly of otherwise unable to do it himself).

If that’s not practical or sensible (in what seems to be an American
trend, not everyone is cooperative or appreciates being asked to take
responsibility for problems they are causing) reporting it to the
jurisdiction in charge of the right of way is in order.

Along with landscaping overgrowth and standing water, potholes,
uneven sidewalk segments, ADA violations or otherwise hazardous
conditions are other problems to report.

Seeking relief when motor vehicles or other large objects block
sidewalks may result in being referred to code enforcement or even law
enforcement but it’s worth following up when the violation is chronic or
creates a dangerous situation.

As well, poor design may be beyond what a general “request for
action” may get resolved by the operations folks but it can serve to get
the matter on the radar of those who need to address it as a capital
project.

One thing that’s apparently underappreciated by our various political
and executive staff leadership when budgeting for maintenance and
operations is the savings realized when those aspects of our
infrastructure are adequately funded.

Think of your own vehicles or home - deferring maintenance or
necessary repairs ends up costing much more in the end and sometimes
takes a piece of equipment or the facility completely out of service for
much more time than routine maintenance would have.

Like any prevention program, “pay now or pay a lot more later” is a fact that cannot be ignored.

This BikeWalkLee page lists the problems to look
for, and a county, state and city-by-city list of where to report the
issue, either by calling or through the internet.

Problems to report include maintenance and operations issues that
affect your safety and convenience, which could include a safety hazard
in the road or on sidewalk, missing bike signage, potholes, request for
debris pick-up, need for vegetation trimming, a crosswalk push button
that isn’t working, a sidewalk in disrepair, a bike lane turn sensor
that’s not working, a shared use path that needs to be repaved, etc.

Information to give to public works representatives includes a
description of the problem, location (be specific, including a street
address if possible), and photos illustrating the problem. Determine which jurisdiction it’s in (state, county or local road).

If you don’t know, start with Lee County and they can forward your request to the appropriate jurisdiction. ¦

- Dan Moser is a long-time bicycle/ pedestrian advocate and traffic
safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for
transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com and 334- 6417.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Critical Mass: An Interview with Organizer Rob Seibert

Writer/Cindy Jo Dietz

You may
have been down at Art Walk on first Friday and couldn’t help but notice
the parade of cyclists in their funny hats, brightly lit bicycles, and
smiling ear to ear, cruising down First Street as if they owned it.
Well, if you did, you have been introduced to Critical Mass, a bike club
which holds roots in major cities around the world. From anarchist
renegade collectives to safety-conscious family rides, none of the
groups are affiliated, but overall serve to represent bicycle awareness
and a cycle friendly lifestyle.

Rob Seibert, organizer for the local
chapter of Critical Mass, could tell you all about it. During frequent
visits to the east coast Rob was introduced to the organization through
another bicycle enthusiast. After seeing there was a need in our area,
Rob set out to start his own version of the group here in Fort Myers
approximately three years ago. The group typically meets on the first
Friday of each month, coinciding with the Art Walk events, in the large
empty parking lot adjacent to the downtown Publix, usually around 7 p.m.

Rides include dogs in baskets to kids of
all ages. Anyone and everyone are invited to attend. As long as riders
assume a safe and responsible manner during the ride, they are welcome.
He reminds cyclists that this is a ride at your own risk activity. “You
have to be responsible for yourself and look out for one another,” says
Rob. “We’re about positive awareness, bringing family, friends and new
friends together. Expect to laugh and have a good time.”

Every few months the group likes to shake
things up by adding a theme to their ride. Riders come dressed in
appropriate garb and tend to decorate their bikes as well. Although
rides may be themed, there is no absolute expectation you must dress up.
Riders are never turned away. “You don’t have to, as long as you have
lights on the front and back, you’re fine,” says Rob. Themes are picked
randomly by members of the group and range from “Tweed” to “Pajama
Party,” and everything in between. Even a couple of dedicated riders got
married during one of the rides. Many of the hardcore cyclists were
there and are all great friends with the couple…Those who bike together,
stay together! Rob says a couple potentially themed rides coming up
include the 4th of July ride and the group’s third anniversary ride.
“Three years already. It has been a trip,” Rob states.

The typical route taken during the Fort
Myers Critical Mass ride takes bicyclists initially through downtown,
for what could easily be mistaken as a bicycle parade of sorts, then
down McGregor and in and out of side streets leading toward the Edison
Restaurant and Golf Club. After a quick break, they head back through
the neighborhood behind the Edison Ford Estates and finally back to the
empty lot where riders either pack it up for the night, or can ride on
joining some of the adult members for a beverage downtown at
establishments such as the Hideaway or Downtown House of Pizza.

Quirkers,
a term for riders who help direct traffic for the group, keep cars
aware that riders are moving through busy streets. “I saw enough
examples of how they do it correctly and incorrectly,” Rob said. “We
stop traffic because there are so many of us, but we are very polite
about it. The bikers tend to be very well lit, but to cross McGregor and
get to the other side of the street, it’s impossible to do safely one
at a time. So a quirker does essentially block traffic, but at the same
time they are communicating with the cars and letting them know who we
are. They may even give them a Critical Mass card. We’ve had few
negative comments from drivers. It’s been a real blessing.”

On occasion, the Fort Myers Police
Department will accompany rides as well. “They’ve been a terrific help,”
Rob said. “On Art Walk night, the streets tend to be busy and are no
longer open to car traffic. The bike cops help us get through without
incident. In addition to the Fort Myers ride, we’ve also started a ride
in Cape Coral. The police there are actually on motorcycles guiding us
the entire way. They embraced our group so quickly and were thrilled to
take part. They bring their families. Kids can actually be at work with
their dad as he helps us ride through. It’s wonderful. The community at
large has a great respect for the police when they take part, because
they are being a friend to the community and as cyclists we are riding
more safely.”

The SW Florida Critical Mass membership
now tops 1,200. That doesn’t necessarily mean each rider comes to every
ride, but a typical ride could include numbers ranging from 150 to 225
riders at a time, sometimes exceeding 300. Since membership has been
increasing, so have the number of rides available. Starting with the
Fort Myers ride, then the Cape Coral ride, members can now enjoy a NE
Lee County ride which is just getting underway, and one in Sanibel that
is in the making. All the rides take place during evening hours and the
group encourages members to light their bikes up adequately. If you are
new to CM and you find a group ride of such magnitude a little daunting,
Critical Mass also offers a training ride Saturday mornings.
Instruction is given to riders on the fundamentals of group riding, how
to do it safely, graduating up to a larger ride.

Rob says SW FL Critical Mass’ main
objective is to bring a solid bike culture to the area and give it a
voice. Biking in a group not only promotes things like friendship, but
also provides strength in numbers. Biking also tends to reach out to
people in a positive way. There are those who enjoy
the ride so much they eventually start their own ride. Rob says
awareness of bikes on the road and having the community support biking
has a way to go though. “We’ve only just begun. It amazes me that there
are so few bike racks in downtown Fort Myers. It’s frustrating. When it
comes to our actually being recognized and what the benefits are, it
would be neat to see more action behind the words. There are many things
needed for an older city to come up to modern times with safe cycling.”

Rob Seibert and SW FL Critical Mass
members invite you to come out and join them for a ride! “There’s such a
high energy to our rides. People are just so proud of the fact they are
even part of something like this, meeting new friends they wouldn’t
have otherwise. It’s part of the crux we’ve been building. Forget about
your life worries, your stuff, the things of life that are challenging.
This is an opportunity for no money to drop your worries, and let it all
go for a little while. It’s all ages. There’s no rich, there’s no poor.
There’s no white, there’s no black. There’s no politics. All your
worries will be there for you when you’re done with the bike ride.
Forget about your stuff for a little while and enjoy a bike ride!”

You can find out more about SW FL
Critical Mass by searching them on Facebook, their main source to get
information about rides out to the public. You can also find information
on Craigslist, Meetup.com and Twitter. Rob says the group can be found
on a number of online sites, but word of mouth and friends of friends,
is what has truly helped build the group’s membership and create such a
unique group of riders.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

In
Southwest Florida, it's hot. Hot and humid. Hot, rainy and humid. As
Robin Williams said in 'Good Morning Vietnam', it's so hot, you can cook
in your shorts. But Southwest Floridians (Lee
County-ites) adapt, adjust, overcome. Clint Eastwood said that.
Heartbreak Ridge. They either go out in the early morning or early
evening, around sunset. Most of us came here to be outside, be active.

Over
the next few weeks and exclusive to our subscribers, The News-Press
fitness expert Craig Handel will show you places where you can bike,
move your feet, move your arms or do both at the same time. We
call them Lee County Summer Hot Spots. After you see these and you want
to make suggestions on other Hot Spots, let us know
(chandel@news-press.com). The more the merrier.

Three years
ago, Rob Seibert started a Critical Mass Ride in Fort Myers, hoping it
would not only get people riding their bicycles but show safe paths
available in Lee County and help bring cyclists closer together.

"I don't want to play war between different places," he said. "I wanted to bring together a community." Since then, there now are five Critical Mass Rides, two in Fort Myers and one in Cape Coral, Sanibel and Northeast Lee County.

"We get a lot more families involved," Seibert said. "It's about the cheapest thing you can do." Local cycle companies like Trek, Coastline Cyclery, Go Girl Cycling and Paradise Bicycles also have started bike outings.

Then there's the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, which has been around for years.
Here are 11 of some of the best Southwest Florida's summer biking hot spots

1. Lakes Regional Park: A
great starter trail with 2 ½ miles of paths. For those more
adventurous, crossing the 41 where 6-mile to Gladiolus will lead you to
trails access to John Yarbrough Linear Park, south on Michael Rippe
Parkway Trail.

2. Fort Myers Critical Mass I: The
first Friday of every month, more than 200 people usually take part.
Riders gather at 7:30 p.m. for an 8 p.m. rollout at empty lot by Publix.
Riders get a feel of Fort Myers history on their 5-mile ride.

3. Fort Myers Critical Mass II:
This Saturday morning ride is more for beginners. This teaches them
more about bicycle safety and how to ride in a group. Resembles a
sight-seeing event. Nice slow roll.

Participants
in the Ride of Silence are requested to wear black arm bands or red if
they have personally been injured in a cycling versus motor vehicle
crash. (Photo: Andrea Melendez/The News-Press)

4. Cape Coral Critical Mass: Goes
the last Saturday of every month. Riders gather at 7:30 p.m. for an 8
p.m. rollout at 4706 SE 11th Place. About 100-125 take part in this
family-friendly ride. Police help make this a safe, enjoyable ride.

Providing safe paths increases
outdoor activity among the
people who live, work and play
in Lee County.
(Photo: news-press file photo)

5. Northeast Lee Critical Mass:
Leaves the second Friday of every month. Riders gather around 7:15 p.m.
for 8 p.m. roll out from Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. About 50-60
riders take part in this ride through neighborhoods.

6. Sanibel Critical Mass:
Done the second Saturday of every month. Riders gather at 7:15 p.m. for
a 7:45 p.m. roll out at Jerry's Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way,
on Sanibel. An earlier start helps riders catch some of the sunset.
Route is almost entirely on paths. About 60-80 usually take part.

7. Coastline Cyclery ride: This
is intended for beginner to intermediate cyclists who want to improve
their group riding skills and get connected to the local cycling
community. Riders arrive at at Coastline Cyclery, 10676 Colonial Blvd at
7:15 a.m. on Sundays for a 7:30 a.m. rollout. Cyclery owners take rides
on 20-mile loop through Treeline, Commerce, Gateway, the back of the
airport and back. After that ride finishes, there's another 30-mile ride
that include Estero and Three Oaks Parkway.

8. Trek Cyclery Ride: Every
Sunday, about 25 riders of all talent levels gather at 7:15 at Trek
Cyclery's 6 Mile Cypress Location for a 7:30 a.m. rollout. Trek members
lead a 15-mile ride that hits John Yarbrough Linnear Park as well as
Colonial Boulevard. There's another 23-25-mile ride that goes from
Colonial to Treeline to Plantation, Gateway and the back part of the
airport in a loop.

9. Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club: This
group has a number of rides, one of which leaves Sundays at 8 a.m. from
the ball fields by Pelican Park in Cape Coral. A dozen or two riders go
to Coral Oaks Golf Course and back. The course can vary. It's one of
the safest routes as bike lanes are used. For more information on other
rides go to Caloosariders.org.

The
Fort Myers Ride of Silence, sponsored by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle
Club took to the streets Wednesday night. Cyclists rode in a silent,
funeral-style procession at 10-12 mph for 8 miles to honor those who
have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Riders
wore black arm bands, or red if they have personally been injured in a
cycling vs. motor vehicle accident. May 20, 2015. (Photo: Andrea Melendez/The News-Press)

10. Art of the Group ride: A weekly ride leaving from Coastline Cyclery, in conjunction with the
regular Caloosa Riders Saturday ride. A relaxed paced NO DROP ride, with
a speed of 16-18mph, for those who are already riding a road bike but
need to brush up on skills or gain group riding knowledge and
confidence.
Leaves at 7:30 a.m. each Saturday.

11. Bike Bistro:Every
Thursday at 5:30 p.m., a group riding 21 mph-plus takes a 30-mile route
out and back from Sanibel. A second group riding between 17-20 mph goes
to Sanibel on a 26-hile route. The third Thursday of every month,
there's a potluck after the ride. Families and well-behaved pets are
welcome.

ENTER TO WIN A GO-PRO CAMERA!
The
News-Press is having a drawing for a Go-Pro camera for our INSIDERS at
the end of July. Look for a link at the top of today's Summer Hot Spots
story at news-press.com/insider to register.

If you ride on most local roadways in the company of motor vehicles, there’s an appallingly good chance you’ll have to interact with that small minority of motorists whose social skills leave a lot to be desired when it comes to cyclists.

Notice the words “small minority” – most drivers are watchful and courteous when sharing the road or intersection, a situation that is improving every year as more cyclists use our improving facilities and more motorists become attuned to watching for and working with cyclists.

That said, there are those who still feel compelled to share their opinions about your transportation choices (among other things) as they roar by you, and an even smaller group who want to turn those words into actions by pitting their two-ton vehicle against your far-less-substantial bicycle – a fight you will never win.

So what should you do?

First, do not engage the rage. Drivers whose impulse control is so low they can’t stand to be on the same road with cyclists are not in the mood for a rational conversation. (They don’t call it “road rage” for nothing.) Resist the urge to respond in kind (or at all). Get some distance between you and them if possible, and use your bicycle’s agility to your advantage if the driver is determined to dog you (since you can go places his or her car cannot). Even change routes or pull into a safe place until the rager drives on… it’s better to arrive late than not at all.

Second, be aware and watchful. Look for erratic drivers coming up behind you, or vehicles that could do you inadvertent harm due to their size or appurtenances (such as mirrors). Many serious cyclists have taken to riding with a video watchdog on board, able to document dangerous drivers if any rage erupts. (Cell phones can also be handy to snap pictures of threatening vehicles and their license plates.) Not only is this a reminder to drivers that actions can have consequences, it also can be essential to any legal action that ends up being taken down the road (for you or another rider, since rage tends to have a good range).

Use hand signals and stop at stop signs
(photo: nevadabike.wordpress.com)

Finally, be a good cycling ambassador. The best way to avoid road rage is to eliminate the spark that causes it, by making motorists friends rather than enemies. A smile and a wave always helps, as does obeying the rules of the road behind the handlebars as well as behind the wheel. Riding responsibly includes being a good vehicle (signal turns, stop at intersections, be consistent and in control). The more motorists are comfortable with cyclists sharing the roadways, the less anger there’s likely to be.

I can hear the cyclists saying that drivers have to share the burden of keeping roadways safe, too. They do… but those of us on bicycles have a lot more to lose in a bike-car battle, so it behooves us to work harder to encourage an equitable calm rather than an unbalanced rage.

Cyclists also need to keep working for more legal protections for what is termed “vulnerable road users” – which includes pedestrians at crosswalks, wheelchair or scooter users, motorcyclists, highway workers and people riding horses, farm tractors, horse-drawn carriages or electric mobility devices. Recent bills to boost such protections have gained support in the Florida Legislature but have not been enacted, and as these bills make their way through the legislative process some of the crucial protections in the original text have been left by the side of the road. We can hope legislative sponsors keep putting such protective bills forward, and that someday our lawmakers will put those protections in place.

Until then, however, our safety is in our own hands.

By Ken Gooderham, BikeWalkLee

Ready to ride or run?

Run: Head to Eagle Lakes Community Park in Naples for the Eagle Lakes 5K on Saturday, July 23 (eliteevents.org)

Ride: Critical Mass rides rule (but you may want to confirm the times, as summertime climates may force changes: On Friday, the NE-Lee Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7:15 p.m. for an 8 p.m. roll out at the Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. On Saturday, the Sanibel Critical Mass ride gathers at 7:15 p.m. for a 7:45 p.m. roll out at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. Lights required, helmets recommended for both. (http://www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/)

Both: Your next local tri is Sunday with the American Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon in Naples, sprint triathlon and duathlon (eliteevents.org). Then it’s the Englewood Sprint tri on July 16 (swflymca.org) and the TRISK Tri Siesta Key Olympic and Sprint Tris and Duathlon Aug. 6 (multirace.us)

-- BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and
advocating for complete streets in Lee County - streets that are
designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel
for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of
all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online
at www.BikeWalkLee.org.

About BikeWalkLee Blog

This is the official Blog for BikeWalkLee.org. BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County -- streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.